Designation of South Lantau Marine Park gazetted
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A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said, "The SLMP will be the seventh and largest marine park in Hong Kong, covering about 2 067 hectares of water. Designation of the SLMP will greatly increase Hong Kong's protected marine habitat from about 4 050 hectares to about 6 117 hectares, which will be conducive to protecting the overall marine environment and marine life such as Chinese white dolphins and finless porpoises in Hong Kong waters, maintaining marine biodiversity and its sustainability, as well as conserving the overall fishery resources."
The draft map of the SLMP was available for public inspection for a period of 60 days from December 31, 2020 to February 28, 2021. The Country and Marine Parks Authority (the Authority) did not receive any objection during the period. The Chief Executive in Council approved the draft map in accordance with section 14(1)(a) of the Marine Parks Ordinance (Cap. 476) (the Ordinance) on August 10, 2021. Copies of the approved map signed by the Authority were deposited in the Land Registry, headquarters of the AFCD and headquarters of the Marine Department for public inspection in accordance with section 14(5) of the Ordinance. The deposit of the maps was notified in the Gazette by the AFCD on September 30, 2021.
An AFCD spokesman said that activities in the waters concerned will be regulated by the Ordinance and the Marine Parks and Marine Reserves Regulation after designation of the marine park. In the long run, it can provide a better habitat for marine life, and in particular, be conducive to protecting marine mammals and maintaining marine biodiversity.
The Marine Parks (Designation) (Amendment) Order 2022 will be tabled at the Legislative Council on April 27, 2022, for negative vetting and come into effect on June 30, 2022.
Ends/Friday, April 22, 2022
Issued at HKT 16:30
Issued at HKT 16:30
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